for a symbol that has figured in all the
heraldic decorations of religion and chivalry. It might have been said
that in colonial times, so early as 1661, coins were struck in Maryland,
the reverse of which bore a shield, and that this was surmounted by a
crown and a cross. But the strangest thing about this cross on the
nickel coin is that it happens to be of a very unusual pattern. It is
the cross of the Order of Calatrava, a military order of Spain,
instituted in 1158, and continuing a very honorable existence down to
the present day. When worn as a decoration embroidered upon the left
breast of the coat, it is a red cross fancifully worked into some
resemblance to the _fleur-de-lis_. Of the minor coins no special mention
need be made. They present nothing unlike what occurs upon those already
examined and described.

The brief study here made of this subject is barely sufficient to
indicate a mode of interpretation which can be applied to all that is
emblematic upon our coins. So far it has nearly all been found
thoroughly Greek in its origin and character. It is proper that it
should be so, for our life, in all the activities through which money is
kept in circulation, is more nearly Greek than it is anything else. This
is nothing we need blush to own. Original genius like that of Goethe may
shape its course, as the poet advised, without looking to the past; but
the less gifted will often turn back to watch the line along which
progress has hitherto been made, and they will find the strongest
reliance in keeping steadily upon the same course.

AN INCIDENT OF PORT HUDSON.

BY WILLIAM J. BURGE, M.D.

In the passage of Port Hudson by Admiral Farragut, on the night of the
14th of March, 1863, out of a fleet of eight vessels which attempted to
run the batteries, only the two foremost ones, the "Hartford" and the
"Albatross," succeeded in doing so. The "Hartford" was a regular steam
sloop-of-war, which the admiral had chosen for his flag-ship; while the
"Albatross" was a rather small propeller which had been purchased by the
navy department, officered, manned, and put in as complete fighting trim
as her proportions would admit of. These two vessels, lashed together,
with the "Albatross" on the port side, headed the procession up the
Mississippi River. Each of the three other large vessels which followed
had a smaller one lashed to her port side. The object of this was that,
in case either of the large vessels